Trends come and go, but a handful of popular cabinets keep showing up in kitchen after kitchen: in new builds, remodels and rental upgrades alike. They are popular for good reasons. They suit many architectural styles, they look good in photos and in person, and they hold their appeal when it is time to sell. Here are the door styles and colors our customers ask for most, and how to make each one your own.
Shaker doors: the most popular cabinet style
If one cabinet style defines today's kitchens, it is the shaker door: a flat center panel framed by four square-edged pieces. It is simple enough for a modern kitchen and detailed enough for a traditional one, which is why most door styles in our showrooms are shaker or shaker-inspired.
- Classic shaker: even rails and stiles, like Vita's Emerald series or Fabuwood's Galaxy.
- Slim shaker: a narrower frame for a lighter, more contemporary look, such as Fabuwood's Luna.
- Shaker with molding: an applied ogee detail adds a touch of tradition, as on Vita's Trillion.
White and off-white cabinets
White is still the most requested cabinet color. A bright white like Emerald White or Galaxy Frost makes a kitchen feel clean and open. Warmer off-whites such as Galaxy Dove or 21st Century's Perla cream soften the look and pair beautifully with natural wood and brass.
Gray and greige
Gray cabinets have moved from cool and stark to soft and warm. Light grays like 21st Century's Sterling, which the manufacturer counts among its most popular colors with dealers, or Vita's Trillion Gray work as a calm neutral backdrop. Greige tones, a blend of gray and beige like Galaxy Horizon, feel cozier still.
Warm wood tones are back
After years of painted kitchens, natural wood is one of the fastest-growing requests. Light and mid-tone stains like Galaxy Timber or Emerald Natural bring warmth and texture, especially on an island or a wall of tall cabinets. Deeper browns such as Charlton or Luna Kona suit traditional homes.
Navy blue and green
For homeowners who want color, navy and green are the favorites. Deep blues like 21st Century's Nova or Emerald Blue look striking with white quartz and brass hardware, and greens like Kingston bring a calm, natural feel. Many kitchens use the color on the island or the lower cabinets only and keep the uppers light.
Two-tone kitchens
Combining two cabinet colors is one of the most popular ways to personalize a kitchen without taking a big risk: a white or light gray perimeter with a navy, green or wood island; light uppers with darker base cabinets; or a wall of wood tall cabinets next to painted runs. See more combinations in our two-tone kitchen examples.
How to choose a popular style that still feels personal
- Pick the door first, then the color. A shaker door keeps your options open for decades; color is easier to change with an island or accents.
- See samples in your own light. Whites and grays shift a lot between north- and south-facing rooms, so look at door samples at home before you decide.
- Personalize with hardware and countertops. The same white shaker cabinet looks completely different with black bar pulls and veined quartz than with brass knobs and a wood top.
- Try it virtually. Upload a photo of your kitchen to our AI Visualizer to preview a new look.
Ready to compare? Filter door styles by color in Find Your Style, or see the specific door styles customers order most in our best selling kitchen cabinets guide.